Abstract

Free electron lasers (FED are high-power, pulse periodic lasers with wide range wavelength tunability that have important and unique potential applications in photobiology and medicine. The FEL technology most appropriate for biomedical studies/applications in the IR-VIS range is the technology based on the radio frequency (RF)-linear accelerator (LINAC)-hybrid magnetic undulator (wiggler) or RF-LINAC-wiggler technology and optical cavity (1,2). Storage rings (3) and LINACs with photocathode injectors are promising technology for obtaining UV-FEL radiation. Initial studies are in progress using the IR technology: (a) to develop optical systems and fibers for biological studies in the mid-IR (2-5 μm) range; (b) to obtain visible and ultraviolet (uv) wavelengths using FEL harmonics and non-linear crystals; and (c) to study photobiodisruptive processes, determine light-tissue interaction thresholds, tissue damage zones, and photobiochemical processes for clinically relevant biological applications. The MARK III (Stanford Photon Research Laboratory) FEL operating as a tunable laser in the wavelength range 2.0 μm -5.0 μm at 0.1 mJ to 60 mJ per macropulse (t_MP - 1.5 μs) and 15 Hz is being used for the initial IR-VIS studies. This paper considers the potential diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical applications of UV-FEL radiation (190 nm - 390 nm) in biomedicine.

© 1988 Optical Society of America